Friction-driven rotary cleaning apparatus having plural operating modes

ABSTRACT

This disclosure depicts a number of embodiments of lightweight, highly maneuverable, friction-driven ground and floor cleaning apparatus. Lightweight, multi-function housing means serves to support for rotation a cylindrical brush and a pair of drive wheels of smaller diameter than the brush. The apparatus has two operating modes - an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;upright&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; mode wherein the apparatus has a first set of operating characteristics including a relatively high handle operating position, and an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;inverted&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; mode wherein the apparatus has a second set of operating characteristcs, including a relatively low handle operating position.

atented Sept. 4, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Sept. 4, 1973 2 SheetsSheet 2 t OO 104 FRICTION-DRlli/EN ROTARY CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING PIJURAL OPERATING MODES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application relates to but is not dependent upon my copending application Ser. No. 117,937, filed Feb. 23, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art expounds many friction-driven rotary brush devices for cleaning streets, floors, and other surfaces. Many of these devices are large, cumbersome, three and four-wheeled vehicles. All are relatively heavy, unwieldy, and otherwise generally unsuited for rapid and easy light outdoor or industrial ground and floor cleaning and clearing. An example of such prior art is the U.S. Pat. to Taft U.S. Pat. No. 588,250.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of this invention to provide improved friction-driven cleaning apparatus for cleaning patios, sidewalks, driveways, industrial floors, and the like which has very high cleaning efficiency, and which is extermely lightweight, compact, maneuverable, and generally easy and convenient to use.

Itis another object to provide such sweeping apparatus with a friction-driven rotary brush the bite of which is capable of continuous and instantaneous adjustment while the apparatus is in use in order to compensate for variations in the characteristics of the debris being swept and of the surface being cleaned.

It is still another object to provide sweeping apparatus of the general nature described above which has two modes of operation namely a first mode wherein the apparatus is in an upright attitude and has a relatively high handle elevation, and a second mode wherein the apparatus in in an inverted attitude and has a relatively low handle elevation.

lt is yet another object of this invention to provide improved friction-driven cleaning apparatus capable of accommodating users of different heights.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part become apparent as the following description proceeds. The features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of sweeping apparatus embodying this invention;

FIG. IA is a perspective view of a bracket constituting part of the FIG. I apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a gragmentary front elevational view, partly broken away, of the right end of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the right end of the FIG. I apparatus shown in its upright operating mode as in FIG. ll;

FIG. A is a fragmentary end elevational view of the left end of the FIGS. l3 apparatus, the apparatus being shown in its inverted operating mode;

FIGS. 5 and o are fragmentary end and front elevational views of the right end of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the FIGS. 54S embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. I-4 illustrate a sweeping device I0 representing one of the many devices contemplated for implementing the principles of this invention. The device 10 is illustrated as including a support structure in the .form of a housing I2 which may be, for example, of

molded plastic or, as shown, of stamped sheet metal. The housing I2 supports for rotation a cylindrical brush I4 and wheels I6, I7.

The wheels I6, I7 are carried on stub axles I8, 19. The wheels 116, I7 are shown as each including a hub 20 having a peripheral depression for receiving an elastic tire 22 of high friction material.

Transmission means are provided for coupling at least one of the wheels I6, 117 and the brush shaft 15 of brush IA such that rotation of the wheels effects an opposite rotation of the brush IA. In the FIGS. 1 4 embodiment the transmission means is shown as taking the form of a pair of spur gears 24, 26. Spur gear 24 may be affixed, for example, on the stub axle I9 of wheel I7, or alternatively, as shown, the wheel I7, stub axle I9, and spur gear 24 may be injection molded as a unitary structure from a suitable plastic material. Spur gear 26, which may also be of a molded plastic construction, is mounted on the brush shaft I5. The spur gear 26 may be formed as an integral part of a hollow sleeve which is interference fit upon the right end of the brush shaft 115. A sleeve 2S may be interference fit on the left end of shaft I5. The brush I4 is here shown as being of a construction known as twisted-inwire; however, the brush may be of the tufted-axle, or strip types or of any other suitable construction.

The construction and functions of the housing I2 will now be discussed. The hosuing I2 has a number of significant functions. First, it provides a rigid but lightweight exoskeleton for the device and includes support structures which rotatably support the ends of the brush shaft I5 and the stub axles Ib, I9 carrying the wheels I6, I7. More particularly, the housing I2 includes a longitudinal body portion M having a lightweight, thin-walled construction, which may be of suitable molded plastic or, as illustrated, of sheet metal. The body portion 34 of the housing I2 has a substantial curvature in planes transverse to the brush shaft I5 to provide rigidity without a high weight factor.

The housing I2 has a pair of end walls 38, 40 extending forwardly from `the longitudinal body portion 34 of the housing I2. Support structures are provided to rotatably support the cylindrical brush IA and the stub axles I8, I9 of wheels I6, 117. In the illustrated embodiment the support structures comprise brackets 42, 44 which may be affixed to the body portion 34 of the housing I2 by welding, with rivets or other fasteners or by any other suitable fastening means. See particularly FIG. IA which illustrates clearly bracket 44. The brackets 42, 44 comprise back portions from which extend forwardly arms 415, 46 and A7, d8, respectively.

The arms 415-48 have apertures (A9, SIP in bracket 44) which receive and serve as bearings for stub axles I8, 119 on the wheels I6, I7. An aperture 52 in each of the arms 46, 47 supports for rotation the ends of brush shaft I5.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the brackets 42, 434 support the wheels 116, I7 on a common wheel axis 53 located forwardly of and parallel with the brush shaft I5.

A handle 54 for the device I0 is connected to the housing I2 such that the handle and the housing I2 pivot together about the common wheel axis 53. By the described construction, elevational adjustment of the handle 54 effects an adjustment of the interference between the brush and the surface being cleaned. A user may thus control the bite of the brush I4 instantaneously and continuously while operating the brush to compensate for variations in characteristics of the debris being swept and of the surface being cleaned.

Location of the wheel axis 53 forwardly of the brush shaft I5 has the effect that adjustment of the handle height produces an adjustment in a like direction of the brush 141. For example, lowering the handle produces a natural lowering of the brush I4, making adjustment of the brush bite a very natural maneuver.

In addition to providing structural rigidity for the device and supporting the brush I4 and wheels 116, I7 for rotation, the housing I2 also serves to shield the user from flying debris, expecially if the device should be pulled backwards so as to cause the brush I4 to rotate in the reverse direction, causing the brush 14 to throw debris toward the user. The housing l2, by virtue of its wrap-around construction provides a pair of forward and rear support edges 56, 58 which protect the brush, for example, in a situation where an elevated patio is being cleaned and one wheel runs off an edge.

Friction-driven cleaning apparatus including novel exoskeletal support means, as described above, is another invention of mine disclosed and claimed in my above-referenced copending application.

In accordance with this invention, the device l0 has two modes of operation, especially intended to accommodate users of different height. In a first mode of operation (shown in FIGS. I-3) the device III has a first attitude, herein termed the upright attitude (for convenience of explanation only) wherein the handle is in a relatively high position. In this upright attitude the device is especiallysuited for use by persons of average and taller than average height. To convert to a second mode of operation, the device l0 may be inverted. In this inverted attitude (shown in FIG. 4) the handle assumes a relatively low position. In this inverted (low handle) attitude the device l0 is especially suited for use by persons of average and shorter than average height.

To achieve in part this dual mode of operation, the device is characterized by having the diameter of the brush 14 substantially larger than the diameter of the wheels 16, 17. The brush diameter is preferably at least 25 percent larger than the diameter of the wheels but preferably not more than 75 percent larger. Taking into account constraints on gear sizes and other practical design limitations, if the brush diameter is significantly less than about 25 percent greater the diameter of the wheels I6, 17, the brush I5 wll notengage the surface to be cleaned. when the device is in its inverted attitude. If the brush diameter is significantly more than about 75 percent greater than the diameter of the wheels, the handle elevations become extreme in one or both the operating attitudes of the device l0.

The device It) will now be discussed from a different viewpoint. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the device l0 is constructed such that a plane 60 containing the wheel axis 53 and intersecting the free end 62 of the hand 54 unequally divides the angle A defined by a tangential plane 64 on one side of the handle 54 and a tangential plane 66 on the opposite side of the handle 54. The tangential planes 64, 66 are defined as planes which are tangential to both the wheels I6, 17 and the brush l5.

The above-described dual mode of operation is also achieved in part by causing the axis of the brush shaft l5 to be off-set from the plane 60 such that a plane 68 intersecting both the brush shaft i5 and the wheel axis 53 makes a finite angle B with the plane 6@ (see FIG. 3). By varying the magnitude of the angle B, the tangential planes 64, 66 are effectively caused to rotate in the same direction, thereby altering the manner in which plane 60 divides the angle A defined by planes 64, 66. As angle B is made greater, the difference in handle height from one operating mode to the other becomes greater. Angle B is easily varied during fabrication of the device l@ by altering the position of the apertures 52 in brackets d2, 44 which support the ends of the brush shaft l5.

Because the FIGS. ll-d device is operated in both upright and inverted attitudes, it is desirable that the handle 54 accommodate the user in both of these operating modes. A handle having a free end 62 curved to accommodate the users hand may be employed in combination with a swivel socket at the point where the handle S4 joins the housing )l2 for the device. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. l, a straight handle 54 having a swiveling hand grip 70 may be employed. The hand grip 70 illustrated in FIG. I is exemplary of a great number of grip means which might be employed to achieve the stated result. The hand grip 76 is shown as comprising a generally tubular section 72 and a grip section 74. A retainer loop 76 prevents the grip 70 from sliding downv on the handle S4. The tubular section 72 comprisesy a spine 78 and a plurality of bands 80 arranged in staggered relationship on opposite sides of the spine 78 to enable the grip 70 to be injection molded from suitable thermoplastic materials.

FIGS. 5-7 depict a sweeping device 8l representing a second embodiment of the invention which is similar to the FIGS I4 embodiment in general construction, operating and purpose, but different in the nature of its support structures. Like the FIGS. I-I embodiment the FIGS. S-7 embodiment comprises a cylindrical brush 82 and a friction drive train which includes a pair of wheels, one of which is shown at 84, and a pair of spur gears 86, S8. Gear 86 is affixed to wheel 84 (or may be molded integrally therewith); gear 8S is attached to the shaft 90 of brush 82.

However, unlike wheels I6, I7 in the FIGS. 1-4 embodiment which are preferably carried on stub axles 18, 19, wheel 84 and its left end counterpart (not shown) `are supported for rotation on shafts, one of which is shown at 92, which comprise part of a novel support structure for the device 3l.

More particularly, the novel support structure of device 81 comprises a frame 941 which is rigidly affixed to (or an integral part of) a socket h6 for receiving a handle 98 for the device SI. Near each of its free ends, the frame 94 is reverse bent to produce at the extremities thereof, the shafts 92. The unit comprising wheel 84 and gear S6, and the left end wheel, have a central bore which receives the shafts 92 and are free to rotate thereon.

A multipurpose housing Miti, which may be of stamped sheet metal, for example, is attached to the frame 94 by welds, rivets, or by any other suitable connection method. rThe housing i@ has a number of functions which include: (l) shielding the user from flying dirt and degris; (2) adding structural rigidity (due to its curvature in planes transverse to the brush shaft 90) so as to allow the use of a lighter weight, less costly frame 9d; (3) protecting the brush 82, wheels 84, and geras 86, 83; and (4) serving as a support for a pair of members, one of which is shown at 102, which function to support rotation the ends of brush shaft 90. In the illustrated embodiment the members 102 take the form of thin walls fabricated, for example, from stamped sheet metal, which are fastened to forward and rear edges MM, 106, of the housing l0() by frictionfit clips (one of which is shown at 108). A flexible or rigid trim strip (not shown) may be fastened on the edges 1104i, 106, if desired, t hide the clips 108 and serve as a bumper for the device ll.

End walls for the housing 100, one of which is shown at liltl, have apertures for passing shafts 92. The end walls iii@ and brush-supporting members il02 cooperate to form open-sided chambers which provide some -protection and dirt shielding for the transmission (gears d6, d8) and the wheels 854.

The FlGS. -6 device provides the same dual modes of operation as described in detail above with respect to the FIGS. 1-4 embodiments.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of construction of the embodiments depicted, and it is contemplated that various and other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. rTherefore, because certain changes may be made in the above-described apparatus without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that the subject matter of the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

As used herein, the term stub axle is intended to mean any means for supporting for rotation a single wheel or equivalent surface friction-driven member, as opposed, for example, to a transverse axle which might extend across a device for supporting a pair of wheels on opposite sides of the device. Thus, the shafts 92 in the FlGS. 57 embodiment are intended to be construedas stub axles.

Whereas the above depiction stresses the use of a rotary cleaning tool in the form of a cylindrical brush having bristle extending from a central shaft, the use of other surface-treating tools capable of rotary operation in lieu thereof is within the compass of this invention and such tools are intended to be considered as equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. Ground and floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a cylindrical brush having bristles extending from a central shaft; a pair of wheels mounted on respective stub axles, one wheel being disposed at each end of said brush;

support means for rotatably supporting both ends of said brush shaft and for supporting said stub axles such that said wheels turn on a common wheel axis parallel with and forwardly of said brush shaft;

transmission means coupling :at least one of said wheels and said brush shaft such that wheel rotation causes said brush to rotate in the opposite direction; and

a handle joined to said support means such that said handle and said support means pivot together about said wheel axis, elevational adjustment of said handle effecting an adjustment of the interference between said brush and the surface being cleaned, whereby a user may control the bite of the brush instantaneously and continuously while operating the bmsh to compensate for variations in the characteristics of the debris being swept and of the surface being cleaned;

said apparatus being characterized by having the diameter of said brush substantially larger than the diameter of said wheels and by being constructed such that a first plane containing said wheel axis and intersecting a manually engageable free end of said handle unequally divides an angle defined by a second plane tangential to said wheels and said brush on one side of said handle and a third plane tangential to said wheels and said brush on the other side of said handle, said brush being operable in a first attitude wherein said free end of said handle is in a relatively high operating position, or altematively, in a second, inverted attitude wherein said free end of said handle is In a relatively low operating position.

2. The apparatus defined by claim E wherein said brush diameter is larger than said wheel diameter by aout 25-75 percent.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim l wherein said support means comprises a housing means which includes a thin-walled, lightweight, rigid, plural function longitudinal body portion partially surrounding said brush to protect said brush to protect said brush and shield` the user from flYing debris, said body portion having substantial curvature in planes transverse to said brush shaft to provide structural rigidity for said hous ing means, said housing means including support means extending from body portion for effecting said support of said axle means and of said ends of said bmsh shaft. 

1. Ground and floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical brush having bristles extending from a central shaft; a pair of wheels mounted on respective stub axles, one wheel being disposed at each end of said brush; support means for rotatably supporting both ends of said brush shaft and for supporting said stub axles such that said wheels turn on a common wheel axis parallel with and forwardly of said brush shaft; transmission means coupling at least one of said wheels and said brush shaft such that wheel rotation causes said brush to rotate in the opposite direction; and a handle joined to said support means such that said handle and said support means pivot together about said wheel axis, elevational adjustment of said handle effecting an adjustment of the interference between said brush and the surface being cleaned, whereby a user may control the bite of the brush instantaneously and continuously while operating the brush to compensate for variations in the characteristics of the debris being swept and of the surface being cleaned; said apparatus being characterized by having the diameter of said brush substantially larger than the diameter of said wheels and by being constructed such that a first plane containing said wheel axis and intersecting a manually engageable free end of said handle unequally divides an angle defined by a second plane tangential to said wheels and said brush on one side of said handle and a third plane tangential to said wheels and said brush on the other side of said handle, said brush being operable in a first attitude wherein said free end of said handle is in a relatively high operating position, or alternatively, in a second, inverted attitude wherein said free end of said handle is In a relatively low operating position.
 2. The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said brush diameter is larger than said wheel diameter by aout 25-75 percent.
 3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a housing means which includes a thin-walled, lightweight, rigid, plural function longitudinal body portion partially surrounding said brush to protect said brush to protect said brush and shield the user from flYing debris, said body portion having substantial curvature in planes transverse to said brush shaft to provide structural rigidity for said housing means, said housing means including support means extending from body portion for Effecting said support of said axle means and of said ends of said brush shaft. 